Larry O’Brien

Today I had the opportunity to ride the #16 OC Transpo bus from Holland Cross to the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre on Albert Street with the City’s Director of Transit Services Alain Mercier and some wonderful Ottawa seniors.

Seniors ride for free Wednesdays!

We held this event to promote an initiative by OC Transpo that offers free transit on Wednesdays for seniors throughout the summer.

We had great conversations about the services currently offered by OC Transpo, priority seating on buses for seniors and accessibility issues followed by a question and answer period with Alain Mercier.

I was very interested to hear these transit users discuss their concerns and share their insightful suggestions on how we can improve transit services in our City.

All in attendance agreed it is absolutely essential that we provide an efficient, reliable and fast service.

Thank you to the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre (click here for more information on the centre) for hosting us this morning and thank you to the members of the centre for sharing your valuable thoughts and ideas.

Please see below a press release that was sent out following this morning’s event.

For immediate release:
July 30, 2008

Mayor O’Brien highlights benefits of public transit for seniors

Ottawa – Mayor Larry O’Brien and Alain Mercier, the City of Ottawa’s Director of Transit Services, met today with local senior citizens and highlighted the OC Transpo Seniors Summer Special and the benefits of public transit for seniors.

Both Mayor O’Brien and Mr. Mercier boarded an OC Transpo bus along with local seniors at the Holland Cross bus stop and traveled to The Good Companion Seniors’ Centre, where they spoke to members of the centre about OC Transpo services and the Seniors Summer Special. Launched in June, the Seniors Summer Special offers free transit on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train on Wednesdays in June, July and August to seniors who are aged 65 and older.

“Public transit is an excellent way for seniors to get around the city,” said Mayor O’Brien. “OC Transpo offers seniors an affordable, convenient, accessible and safe transit service that makes getting to and from outings enjoyable and with the Seniors Summer Special, seniors can give public transit a try this summer and experience the benefits first-hand.”

Seniors represent OC Transpo’s third largest market segment, behind only commuters and students. Approximately 10.5 per cent of all transit users are seniors.

Most of OC Transpo’s fleet are fully accessible with low-floor entrances for easy boarding, and all have priority seating at the front, in addition to many other accessible features. The majority of the buses are air conditioned, offering passengers a comfortable ride in the summer.

“At OC Transpo we strive to deliver safe, reliable and courteous service at a reasonable cost to all residents,” said Mr. Mercier. “OC Transpo offers seniors not only an affordable transit option, but also a number of accessibility features, such as priority seating, low-floor entrances and easy-to-reach stop request buttons, that help make public transit a pleasant experience.”

For more information, call OC Transpo at 613-741-4390 or visit octranspo.com. For accessibility questions, call the Access Hotline at 613-842-3625.

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